Capoeira Batuque

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Capoeira Batuque and Brasil Brasil Cultural Center is to foster cultural citizenship and community building through arts education. Specifically, our efforts focus on producing high quality, accessible, creative opportunities in the Afro-Brazilian art of Capoeira, and in multicultural and multi-disciplinary arts. BBCC was originally founded to uplift Afro-Brazilian culture by supporting the self-representation of Afro-Brazilian Americans and Afro-Brazilians, and publicizing their unique contributions to the national and regional cultural landscape. However, in an increasingly globalized world, no culture, community, or country is an island. The cultural geography of Brazil and the Americas are inherently diverse and complex. As a result, valorizing cultural diversity and expanding access are central to all of BBCC's programs.

BBCC is committed to squelching the risk factors caused by racism, sexism, poverty, illiteracy, xenophobia, and homophobia that limit the development of healthy communities and the ability for all people to enjoy the benefits of cultural citizenship. Arts education for adults and children is produced in traditional and non-traditional settings (e.g., theaters, schools, community centers, universities, libraries, museums, and public spaces) to enhance the awareness of Latin America and the African diaspora, and to encourage cosmopolitanism.

MESTRE AMEN SANTO

Mestre Amen Santo, born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, is a recognized Mestre de Capoeira, master drummer, and teacher ofBerimbau, Percussion, Samba and Maculele. He began at a young age under the guidance and tutelage of Mestre Waldemar da Paixão and Mestre Avila in the neighborhood of Liberdade. It was later that he was mentored as a performer by Negão de Doni (percussion) and Emilia Biancardi (dance), which eventually lead him to tour internationally as a member of Brazil's historic premiere folk ensemble Viva Bahia.